Lee had faced four misdemeanor theft counts, felony theft, malfeasance and public contract fraud charges for his double-billing of BESE and the Desoto school system, where he served as superintendent. But authorities agreed to drop all but a single misdemeanor charge, for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, if he pleaded guilty and agreed to resign.

He came under fire after he was accused of receiving almost $14,000 in travel reimbursements from the state's top education board from 2010 to 2012 then billing Desoto for that same travel. He also canceled a lease on a school system car then bought the car himself at a discounted rate.

Desoto Parish District Judge Charles Adams first sentenced Lee to six months in jail, but then suspended the time, the station reports. Lee must serve unsupervised probation and pay $500 in court costs. He must also resign from BESE by 4:30 p.m. Friday, and repay the DeSoto Parish School Board $10,653.